Politics · South Korea · 9 hrs ago
South Korea to speed development of nuclear-powered submarines and AI combat systems
South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration says it will speed up work on nuclear-powered submarines and AI-based combat systems.
Its plans include combat drones and uncrewed surface vessels, along with systems to detect and stop drones.
The submarine effort is part of the Jang Bogo N program, which followed an agreement with the United States reached at a summit in October 2025.
South Korea aims to build its first submarine in the mid-2030s and put it into service by the late 2030s.
The agency says these programs will help address North Korea’s military threats and support South Korea’s effort to take back wartime command of its forces from the United States.
It also plans to speed up other defense projects, including long-range artillery interceptors, Aegis destroyers and another batch of F-35A fighters.
The government plans to increase defense research funding for areas such as AI, robotics and military satellites.
South Korea’s arms procurement agency said it will speed up development of nuclear-powered submarines and acquisition of AI-based combat systems.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration announced the plan during a parliamentary audit on Oct. 13.
The plan includes unmanned combat systems, anti-drone networks and laser air defense weapons.
South Korea’s Jang Bogo N program aims to build its first nuclear-powered submarine in the mid-2030s and put it into service by the late 2030s.
The agency said the initiatives support self-reliant defense, counter North Korean threats and help prepare for the transfer of wartime operational control from the United States.
- Who
- South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
- What
- DAPA said it will speed up development of nuclear-powered submarines and acquisition of AI-based combat assets, including unmanned and counter-drone systems.
- When
- The agency announced the plan on Oct. 13, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea; the plan was presented during a parliamentary audit.
- Why
- To secure capabilities for self-reliant defense, counter evolving North Korean threats and facilitate the transfer of wartime operational control from the United States.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
South Korea reached a bilateral summit agreement with the United States related to its nuclear-powered submarine program.
President Lee Jae Myung was briefed on the country’s basic plan for the nuclear-powered submarine program at a defense strategy meeting in Changwon.
DAPA announced plans to accelerate development of nuclear-powered submarines and acquisition of AI-based combat assets during a parliamentary audit.
- Agency
- Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA)
- Submarine program
- Jang Bogo N
- First submarine target
- Construction planned for the mid-2030s
- Operational service target
- Late 2030s
- Planned fleet
- At least three 8,000-ton nuclear-powered submarines
- Fuel
- High-assay low-enriched uranium enriched to below 20 percent
What people are saying
The agency will leverage existing organizations and capabilities to develop a nuclear propulsion system and establish a blueprint to construct nuclear-powered submarines.
We plan to launch a full-scale acquisition of combat unmanned systems, such as combat uncrewed surface vessels and small attack drones, as well as anti-drone networks, including laser air defense weapons and integrated counter-drone systems for front-line border areas.
Sources
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